The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Structure presented its Report #16 on Resolution A119 (Amend Canon I.1.2(n) Standing Commission Mandates) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A119)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That Canon I.1.2(n) be amended to read as follows:

(n) There shall be the following Standing Commissions:

(2) A Standing Commission for Small Congregations. on Congregational Vitality. It shall be the duty of the Commission to concern itself with plans for new directions for Small Congregations.It shall be the duty of the Commission to identify and recommend to General Convention policies, priorities, and opportunities to affirm and strengthen the health and development of all congregations, especially small congregations.

(4) A Standing Commission on Domestic Mission and Evangelismthe Mission and Evangelism of The Episcopal Church. It shall be the duty of the Commission to identify, study and consider major general policies, priorities and concerns as to the domestic mission of this Church. This shall include a review of the shaping of new patterns and directions for evangelism particularly in rural and metropolitan areas. The Commission shall develop and recommend to the General Convention comprehensive and coordinated policies and strategies to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.policies, priorities and concerns as to the effectiveness of The Episcopal Church in advancing God’s mission to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ, including patterns and directions for evangelism, Church planting, leadership development and ministries that engage the diversity of the Church’s membership and the communities it serves, and to make recommendations to General Convention.

(5) A Standing Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations. It shall be the duty of the Commission to recommend to the General Convention a comprehensive and coordinated policy and strategy on relations between this Church and other Churches, and this Church and other religions, and to make recommendations to General Convention concerning inter Church cooperation and unity, and interreligious dialogue and action. , and to carry out such instructions on ecumenical and interreligious matters as may be given it from time to time by the General Convention. It shall also nominate for appointment by the Presiding Bishop, with the advice and consent of the Executive Council, persons to serve on the governing bodies of ecumenical and interreligious organizations to which this Church belongs by action of the General Convention, who shall report to the Presiding Bishop, Executive Council and the Standing Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations.

(7) A Standing Commission on Ministry Development. It shall be the duty of the Commission to:

(i) to recommend policies and strategies to the General Convention for the development, affirmation and exercise of the ministry of all theaffirmation, development and exercise of ministry by all thebaptized persons (lay persons, bishops, priests and deacons);

(ii) to encourage and facilitate networks of individuals, institutions and agencies, engaged in education, training, deployment and formation for ministry by all four orders; recommend strategies to General Convention for the development and support of networks of individuals, diocesan Committees and commissions, agencies and institutions engaged in recruitment, gifts discernment, education and training for ministry, leadership development and deployment.

(iii) to study the needs and trends of theological education for all four orders with this Church baptized persons, including issues of recruitment, training, deployment, evaluation and continuing education; to make recommendation to the several seminaries, the Executive Council and the General Convention; and to aid the General Board of Examining Chaplains in the exercise of its functionseminary education and life-long learning, and recommend strategies to General Convention to strengthen theological education for all baptized persons.

(iv) to discharge such other duties as shall be assigned by the General Convention.

(8) A Standing Commission on National Concerns Social Justice and Public Policy. It shall be the duty of the Commission to identify, study and consider general policies, priorities and concerns about the theological, ethical and pastoral issues and strategies as to the ministries of this Church serving Christ, to strive for justice and peace among all peoples through the proclamation of the Gospel and to develop and recommend to the General Convention comprehensive and coordinated policies and strategies applicable to the same. theologically interpret social justice issues facing the United States and their impact on other nations, and to develop and recommend policies and strategies to the General Convention.

(9) A Standing Commission on Stewardship and Development. It shall be the duty of the Commission hold up before the Church the responsibility of faithful stewardship of time, talent and treasure in grateful thanksgiving for God’s gifts. It shall recommend strategies for stewardship education throughout the Church with special sensitivity to the cultural and linguistic diversity of our Church. It shall recommend programs for long-range planning and development, ensuring that other Church bodies, including the Executive Council, are part of the process. It shall assure that there is an official, periodic gathering, interpretation, evaluation and reporting of stewardship from throughout the Church. It shall help coordinate all Church-wide fund-raising activities. to recommend policies that foster within The Episcopal Church a broad understanding of Christian stewardship, both individual and corporate. The Commission shall recommend strategies to General Convention for stewardship, including education, development and planned giving, with special sensitivity to the cultural and linguistic diversity of the Church.

(10) A Standing Commission on the Structure of the Church. It shall be the duty of the Commission to study and make recommendations concerning the structure of the General Convention and of theThe Episcopal Church. It shall, from time to time, review the operation of the several Committees, and Commissions, and Boards to determine the necessity for their continuance and the effectiveness of their functions and to bring about a coordination of their efforts. Whenever a proposal is made for the creation of a new Committee, or Commission, Board or Agency, it shall, wherever feasible, be referred to the Standing Commission on the Structure of the Church for its consideration and advice.

(11) A Standing Commission on World Mission, whose members shall include persons broadly representative of jurisdictions outside the United States of America, as well as persons having direct engagement with and experience in world mission. It shall be the duty of the Commission, as to all mission outside the United States, to review and evaluate existing policies, priorities and strategies, and to promote partnership for global mission among the various groups within the Church, to plan and propose policy on overseas mission and to make recommendations pertaining to the Executive Council and the General Convention. to review and evaluate policies, priorities, and strategies for global mission, and to make recommendations regarding global mission to General Convention.

(12) A Standing Commission on Episcopal Church Communication and Information Technology. It shall be the duty of the Commission to identify, study and consider communication strategies, policies, priorities and technologies, to strengthen the Church’s communication of the Gospel and the mission of the Church to the world at large, and to improve communication among members of the Church, Parishes, Missions, Congregations, Dioceses and the various bodies of the General Convention. The Commission shall report on its work and recommendations to the General Convention. recommend to General Convention communication strategies, policies, priorities, and technologies to strengthen the Church’s communication of the Gospel and the mission of the Church to the world at large and to improve information management and exchange within The Episcopal Church.

(13) A Standing Commission on Health. It shall be the duty of the Commission to:

(i) Articulate and communicate positions adopted by The Episcopal Church on health care policy to Episcopalians, the public and public policy makers;

(ii) Advocate, in cooperation with the Office of Government Relations, for a health care system in which all may be guaranteed decent and appropriate primary health care during their lives and as they approach death;

(iii) Bring together those within The Episcopal Church who develop, provide and/or teach health care and health policy to continue to develop a Christian approach to pressing issues that affect the health care system of this nation;

(iv) Understand and keep abreast of the rapidly changing health care market and developments in biomedical research that affect health policy;

(v) Collect and develop resources and teaching materials related to access to health care for the use of dioceses, congregations and individuals;

(vi) Advocate health ministry in and through local Episcopal congregations; and

(vii) Discharge such other duties as shall be assigned by the General Convention. identify and study national and international healthcare issues, practices and policies and the Church’s healthcare ministries, and to make recommendations to General Convention.

(14) A Standing Commission on Lifelong Christian Education and Formation and Education consisting of twelve members (3 Bishops, 3 Presbyters and/or Deacons, and 6 Lay Persons). It shall be the duty of the Commission to develop and recommend to the General Convention comprehensive and coordinated policies for children, youth, adults and seniors for lifelong Christian formation.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That Canon I.1.2(n) be amended to read as follows:

(n) There shall be the following Standing Commissions:

(2) A Standing Commission for Small Congregations. on Congregational Vitality. It shall be the duty of the Commission to concern itself with plans for new directions for Small Congregations.It shall be the duty of the Commission to identify and recommend to General Convention policies, priorities, and opportunities to affirm and strengthen the health and development of allsmall congregations, especially small congregations.

(4) A Standing Commission on Domestic Mission and Evangelismthe Mission and Evangelism of The Episcopal Church. It shall be the duty of the Commission to identify, study and consider major general policies, priorities and concerns as to the domestic mission of this Church. This shall include a review of the shaping of new patterns and directions for evangelism particularly in rural and metropolitan areas. The Commission shall develop and recommend to the General Convention comprehensive and coordinated policies and strategies to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.policies, priorities and concerns as to the effectiveness of The Episcopal Church in advancing God’s mission to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ, including patterns and directions for evangelism, Church planting, leadership development and ministries that engage the diversity of the Church’s membership and the communities it serves, and to make recommendations to General Convention.

(5) A Standing Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations. It shall be the duty of the Commission to recommend to the General Convention a comprehensive and coordinated policy and strategy on relations between this Church and other Churches, and this Church and other religions, and to make recommendations to General Convention concerning inter Church cooperation and unity, and interreligious dialogue and action. , and to carry out such instructions on ecumenical and interreligious matters as may be given it from time to time by the General Convention. It shall also nominate for appointment by the Presiding Bishop, with the advice and consent of the Executive Council, persons to serve on the governing bodies of ecumenical and interreligious organizations to which this Church belongs by action of the General Convention, who shall report to the Presiding Bishop, Executive Council and the Standing Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations.

(7) A Standing Commission on Ministry Development. It shall be the duty of the Commission to:

(i) to recommend policies and strategies to the General Convention for the development, affirmation and exercise of the ministry of all theaffirmation, development and exercise of ministry by all thebaptized persons (lay persons, bishops, priests and deacons);

(ii) to encourage and facilitate networks of individuals, institutions and agencies, engaged in education, training, deployment and formation for ministry by all four orders; recommend strategies to General Convention for the development and support of networks of individuals, diocesan Committees and commissions, agencies and institutions engaged in recruitment, gifts discernment, education and training for ministry, leadership development and deployment.

(iii) to study the needs and trends of theological education for all four orders with this Church baptized persons, including issues of recruitment, training, deployment, evaluation and continuing education; to make recommendation to the several seminaries, the Executive Council and the General Convention; and to aid the General Board of Examining Chaplains in the exercise of its functionseminary education and life-long learning, and recommend strategies to General Convention to strengthen theological education for all baptized persons.

(iv) to discharge such other duties as shall be assigned by the General Convention.

(8) A Standing Commission on National Concerns Social Justice and Public Policy. It shall be the duty of the Commission to identify, study and consider general policies, priorities and concerns about the theological, ethical and pastoral issues and strategies as to the ministries of this Church serving Christ, to strive for justice and peace among all peoples through the proclamation of the Gospel and to develop and recommend to the General Convention comprehensive and coordinated policies and strategies applicable to the same. theologically interpret social justice issues facing the United States and their impact on other nations, and to develop and recommend policies and strategies to the General Convention.

(9) A Standing Commission on Stewardship and Development. It shall be the duty of the Commission hold up before the Church the responsibility of faithful stewardship of time, talent and treasure in grateful thanksgiving for God’s gifts. It shall recommend strategies for stewardship education throughout the Church with special sensitivity to the cultural and linguistic diversity of our Church. It shall recommend programs for long-range planning and development, ensuring that other Church bodies, including the Executive Council, are part of the process. It shall assure that there is an official, periodic gathering, interpretation, evaluation and reporting of stewardship from throughout the Church. It shall help coordinate all Church-wide fund-raising activities. to recommend policies that foster within The Episcopal Church a broad understanding of Christian stewardship, both individual and corporate. The Commission shall recommend strategies to General Convention for stewardship, including education, development and planned giving, with special sensitivity to the cultural and linguistic diversity of the Church.

(10) A Standing Commission on the Structure of the Church. It shall be the duty of the Commission to study and make recommendations concerning the structure of the General Convention and of theThe Episcopal Church. It shall, from time to time, review the operation of the several Committees, and Commissions, and Boards to determine the necessity for their continuance and the effectiveness of their functions and to bring about a coordination of their efforts. Whenever a proposal is made for the creation of a new Committee, or Commission, Board or Agency, it shall, wherever feasible, be referred to the Standing Commission on the Structure of the Church for its consideration and advice.

(11) A Standing Commission on World Mission, whose members shall include persons broadly representative of jurisdictions outside the United States of America, as well as persons having direct engagement with and experience in world mission. It shall be the duty of the Commission, as to all mission outside the United States, to review and evaluate existing policies, priorities and strategies, and to promote partnership for global mission among the various groups within the Church, to plan and propose policy on overseas mission and to make recommendations pertaining to the Executive Council and the General Convention. to review and evaluate policies, priorities, and strategies for global mission, and to make recommendations regarding global mission to General Convention.

(12) A Standing Commission on Episcopal Church Communication and Information Technology. It shall be the duty of the Commission to identify, study and consider communication strategies, policies, priorities and technologies, to strengthen the Church’s communication of the Gospel and the mission of the Church to the world at large, and to improve communication among members of the Church, Parishes, Missions, Congregations, Dioceses and the various bodies of the General Convention. The Commission shall report on its work and recommendations to the General Convention. recommend to General Convention communication strategies, policies, priorities, and technologies to strengthen the Church’s communication of the Gospel and the mission of the Church to the world at large and to improve information management and exchange within The Episcopal Church.

(13) A Standing Commission on Health. It shall be the duty of the Commission to:

(i) Articulate and communicate positions adopted by The Episcopal Church on health care policy to Episcopalians, the public and public policy makers;

(ii) Advocate, in cooperation with the Office of Government Relations, for a health care system in which all may be guaranteed decent and appropriate primary health care during their lives and as they approach death;

(iii) Bring together those within The Episcopal Church who develop, provide and/or teach health care and health policy to continue to develop a Christian approach to pressing issues that affect the health care system of this nation;

(iv) Understand and keep abreast of the rapidly changing health care market and developments in biomedical research that affect health policy;

(v) Collect and develop resources and teaching materials related to access to health care for the use of dioceses, congregations and individuals;

(vi) Advocate health ministry in and through local Episcopal congregations; and

(vii) Discharge such other duties as shall be assigned by the General Convention. identify and study national and international healthcare issues, practices and policies and the Church’s healthcare ministries, and to make recommendations to General Convention.

(14) A Standing Commission on Lifelong Christian Education and Formation and Education consisting of twelve members (3 Bishops, 3 Presbyters and/or Deacons, and 6 Lay Persons). It shall be the duty of the Commission to develop and recommend to the General Convention comprehensive and coordinated policies for children, youth, adults and seniors for lifelong Christian formation.

Deputy Graybill of Northern Michigan moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

In Canon I.1, under Sec. 2(n)(2), delete the words “on Congregational Vitality” and restore the words “for Small Congregations.”

Deputy Adams of Eastern Oregon moved the previous question.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the amendment. The voice vote being inconclusive, the President called for an electronic vote. The result of the electronic vote was: Yes, 539 votes (65.9%) and No, 279 votes (34.1%).

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

Deputy Lloyd of Massachusetts moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

In Canon I.1, under Sec. 2(n)(4), after the word “advancing,” add the words “, within this church’s jurisdictions,”.

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

Deputy Finlaw of Colorado moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

In Canon I.1, under Sec. 2(n)(7)(iii), delete the words “seminary education” and replace with the words “the education of candidates and postulants for ordination.”

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

Deputy Browne of East Carolina moved the previous question.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on Resolution A119 as amended.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #136)